2007 Season
Subscribe to our NewsletterScroll Down For The Following:
1--Final Regular Season Standings
2--Playoff Results
3--League Leaders
4--All Star Team
5--Awards
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FINAL REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS
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BOWSER PONTIAC....................24--4--0
KLINGENSMITH INSURANCE......23--4--1
BETHEL METAL.........................19--9--0
CLANCY'S PUB..........................17--11--0
MONROEVILLE..........................11--16--1
ELIZABETH.................................8--20--0
PORT VUE PUB..........................8--20--0
PASQUALE'S PIZZERIA..............1--27--0
Notes For 2008--
Teams Not Returning:
Port Vue Pub & Pasquale's Pizzeria
Teams Changing Names:
Bethel Metal will become Port Vue Pub
Monroeville will become Mac's Lawn Care
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PLAYOFF RESULTS
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**FIRST ROUND**
Clancy's Pub & Monroeville
GAME 1
By JOSH YOHE Daily News Staff Writer
Clancy’s manager John Jumba determined before the Daily News League postseason began that his lineup had become slightly stale. Making a couple of changes at the top of the order, he concluded, might provide the jump start his team needed. Jumba’s assessment and subsequent juggling of his lineup could not have been better. Alex Herrnberger was moved to the top spot in the lineup and Matt Watkiss was moved into the No. 2 hole. The duo combined to go 6-for-8 and lead Clancy’s to a 7-3 victory over Monroeville in Game 1 of the best-of-three first round series at Baker Field. “I thought we needed to shake things up a little bit tonight,” Jumba said. “Everything worked out really well for us.” Herrnberger, who usually bats third, singled in each of his first three plate appearances. Normally the leadoff batter for Clancy’s (18-11), Watkiss thrived in the second hole. He gave Clancy’s a 2-1 lead in the first inning by drilling a two-run homer over the center field fence. Watkiss would later add a run-scoring single and a double. “Herrnberger seemed like a logical guy to put in the leadoff spot because he takes a lot of pitches and gets on base a lot,” Jumba said. “And Watkiss killed the ball tonight.” Neither team committed an error in one of the cleanest game of the season. Clancy’s even got a fortuitous bounce. Monroeville (11-17-1) started hot in the first inning. Shane Ball doubled and came home to score on Bill Brady’s single. Chad Hoffner then hit a hard ground ball that shortstop Jason Mesko misplayed. However, instead of having runners at first and second with no outs, the Gators fell victim to a lucky bounce. The ground ball ricocheted off Mesko and right toward Watkiss, who was covering second base. Watkiss calmly caught the ball, stepped on second and turned the double play. “We hit the ball tonight so I don’t know if it would have really made a difference,” Jumba said. “But it didn’t hurt.” Monroeville, it seems, could not get a break all game. Anthony Iorio pitched a complete game for Monroeville but was tagged for at least one run in each inning. After Watkiss made it 2-1 with his first home run of the season in the first, Herrnberger produced an RBI single to make it 3-1 in the second. Jason Mesko hit his second home run of the year in the third to give Clancy’s a 4-2 lead. Watkiss contributed his third RBI of the game with a single in the fourth. With Clancy’s ahead 5-2 in the fifth, tempers almost boiled over on the Monroeville bench. With a runner on second and no outs, Jumba worked a lengthy at-bat that featured a couple of close calls. “We had him struck out twice,” Brady said. Jumba, though, worked that at-bat to a full count before lacing a single to right field to give Clancy’s a 6-2 lead. Jim Ahlborn’s RBI single in the sixth closed out the scoring for Clancy’s. “We definitely got the big hits when we needed them,” Jumba said. “That’s a good sign for us.” Bill Brady’s sacrifice fly and Matt Rossi’s RBI double produced Monroeville’s other two runs. The Gators never were able to string together a series of hits against Clancy’s starter Dave Koerbel, who has been one of the league’s most consistent hitters. “He hit his spots all night,” Ahlborn said. Koerbel pitched a complete game, allowing nine hits and striking out five. Monroeville, despite qualifying for the playoffs, has dropped nine of its last 11 decisions. “They got the big hits when they needed them and we didn’t,” Brady said. “That was the difference in tonight’s game.”
GAME 2
Clancy's Pub advances to the semi final round with a come from behind victory over Monroeville. A quick start put the Gators up 4-0 after 2 innings in a matchup of the youngest and oldest teams in the league. That set the stage for one of the longest innings in recent memory as Clancy's scored 12 in the top of the 3rd followed by 4 from Monroeville in the bottom of the inning. The veteran Clancy's team then held off three Gator rallies by throwing a runner out at the plate after Monroveille cut the lead to two with no outs in the fourth inning. The Pub's defense also turned two double plays later in the game. A three run 7th inning sealed the deal for Clancy's to send them into a Semi Final match up with Bowser Pontiac for the third season in a row. Longtime veteran catcher Jim Ahlborn (who in the 1987 Finals hit a home run out of cavernous West Field) took the mound for Clancy's over the last 3 2/3 innings and held the young bucks to just 3 hits and 1 run. Leading the way with the bats were Ernie Furno with 2 rbi, Matt Watkiss, John Jumba, Shawn King and Jimmy Morris with 2 hits each and Jason Mesko's 3 hits. For Monroeville, Shane Ball homered along with Anthony Iorio's 2 run homer. Bill Brady, Chad Hoffner, Jason Krimsky & Ralph Festa had 2 hits each.
**SEMI FINALS**
Bowser Pontiac & Clancy's Pub
GAME 1
Clancy's came back from a 5-1 hole then held on for a 12-11 victory. The Pub overcame their slow start by scoring 11 unanswered runs and still had a 12-9 lead going into the 7th inning. Bowser scored twice in the final frame and had a runner at second when the game ended. John Jumba's 3 rbis and a triple lead the way for Clancy's. Tim Donnelly had 2 hits including a home run and Matt Carver launched a grand slam for Bowser.
GAME 2
In another back and forth game, Bowser comes back for a 14-6 victory. Shawn King's grand slam gave Clancy's and early 5-1 lead before the Bowser bats took over. Tim Donnelley, Ron Kramer and Corey Rodgers each homered for Bowser and Jim Onder drove in 3 more runs for the Twins.
GAME 3
Anthony Cirocco's 1 hitter lead the way for Bowser. The left hander gave up his only hit with 1 out in the 7th inning in the 5-0 victory. Cirocco had 8 strikeouts and was helped out in the field by Jim Onder. The center fielder turned in the best defensive play of the year with a diving catch on the warning track in right center field. Corey Rodgers and Joe Berletic homered for Bowser.
GAME 4
Bowser Pontiac advances to the finals with a 9-2 victory. Jim Onder throws a complete game and adds a bunt single in the 3 run third inning to start the scoring. Dalaine Ofchinick leads the way with 3 hits. The Twins put the game away with 4 runs in the 6th after 2 were out. Tim Donnelly's 2 run single started the scoring and was followed up by Joe Berletic's 2 run homer. For Clancy's Pub, Erine Furno had 2 hits while Shawn King launched his second home run of the series.
Bethel Metal & Klingensmith Insurance
GAME 1
Dom Magnotti leads Klingensmith with his bat and arm to a 3-1 win. With the game tied, 1-1, in the fifth inning, Magnotti laced a single to drive in 2 Pirates runs. The lead was admirably protected by Craig Misiewicz, who went the distance for the victory. He wiggled his way out of jams all game with the last one being in the 7th inning when Magnotti threw out a runner at the plate from center field.
GAME 2
Anthony Miller leads Klingensmith to a 13-2 victory. The left hander allowed just 4 hits over 6 innings and had 2 hits himself at the plate.
Tom Pasinski was the hitting star for the game as he went 4 for 5 including a home run while driving in 4 runs and scoring 3. Derek Henson and Dom Magnotti also had 2 hits each for the Pirates. Dave Szanca's 2 hits lead the way for Bethel Metal.
GAME 3
Mike Cardamone's 4 hit shutout keeps Bethel Metal alive. Leading the offense were the Laird brothers as John went 3 for 5 including a double & triple, 3 rbis and 2 runs scored while Dan was 3 for 3 with an rbi.
GAME 4
Craig Misiewicz pitching masterpiece leads Klingensmith Insurance into the finals. The left hander didn't allow Behtel Metal a hit until the seventh inning as the Pirates won the game 5-0.
**FINALS**
Bowser Pontiac & Klingensmith Insurance
GAME 1
A five run fifth inning rallied Bowser Pontiac to victory. Down 4-2 entering the frame, Dalaine Ofchinick blasted a two run homer to start the scoring. Tim Donnelly's single drove in the next run before Corey Rodgers singled home two more Twins runs. Scott Manko was the winning pitcher but had to hold off Klingensmith Insurance in the seventh inning to get the complete game victory. The Pirates scored one in their last at bat and had a runner on first base when the game ended 7-6. The well played game saw defensive gems in the early innings as Bowser's center fielder Jim Onder threw out a runner at the plate while his counterpart from Klingensmith, Tom Pasinski, threw out a runner at third.
GAME 2
Klingensmith Insurance evened the series at one game each with a 7-3 win over Bowser Pontiac. Craig Misiewicz went the distance and Anthony Miller had three doubles to lead the Pirates. Jim Onder homered for the Twins.
GAME 3
Bowser Pontiac powered past Klingensmith Insurance 15-2. While many different Twins batters did damage from the plate, it was Anthony Cirocco's work on the mound that made him the star of the game. The left hander held the Pirates to three hits as he picked up his second post season victory. Dalaine Ofchinick and Jim Onder homered for Bowser Pontiac while Jack Waltonbaugh did the same for Klingensmith Insurance.
GAME 4
Bowser Pontiac won their third consecutive DNL title with a 14-2 victory over Klingensmith Insurance. In similar fashion to game 3, the entire Bowser Pontiac line up was clicking from top to bottom including home runs by Corey Rodgers, Matt Carver and Tim Donnelly. Todd Welch went the distance for the Twins victory.
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ALL STAR TEAM
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Voted on by the league's managers
C-------COREY RODGERS..................BOWSER PONTIAC
1B------JACK WALTONBAUGH..........KLINGENSMITH INSURANCE
2B------JOE BERLETIC......................BOWSER PONTIAC
3B------MATT SCURFIELD................KLINGENSMITH INSURANCE
SS------JASON MESKO....................CLANCY'S PUB
OF------DALAINE OFCHINICK.....*.....BOWSER PONTIAC
OF------JIM ONDER..........................BOWSER PONTIAC
OF------ADAM HARKINS...................KLINGENSMITH INSURANCE
DH------TIM DONNELLY....................BOWSER PONTIAC
P-------MIKE SIKORSKI..........*..........BETHEL METAL
P-------MIKE CARDAMONE................BETHEL METAL
P-------SCOTT MANKO.....................BOWSER PONTIAC
P-------ANTHONY MILLER.................KLINGENSMITH INSURANCE
P-------CRAIG MISIEWICZ.................KLINGENSMITH INSURANCE
* Means unanimous selection
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AWARDS
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By JOSH YOHE Daily News Staff Writer
Commissioner Nick Donato, unlike some of his predecessors, clearly has the league moving toward the future. The DNL Web site is a smashing success and, in another sign that Donato’s guidance has upgraded the league, the manager of each team recently compiled an all-star team. What’s this, the league’s managers getting together and doing something nice for the players? I’m impressed. Three years ago, under the previous regime, such a thing never would have happened. Given that Donato and the DNL’s managers were busy handing out all-star picks this week, it seems only appropriate that the man who has covered a record 17 DNL games this summer hands out some hardware of his own. Let’s keep in mind, these awards are for the regular season only.
MVP — Tim Donnelly, Bowser Pontiac
There are other players in the league, guys like Jim Onder or Dom Magnotti, who probably help their teams win in more ways. But Donnelly dominated DNL pitching so much this season that he is an easy choice. Although Bowser again had a dominant team, Donnelly was not protected as well in the lineup as in previous years. Bernie Smith left midway through the regular season and Onder had a slow start, putting even more pressure on Donnelly. He responded in a big way, blasting a league-high 10 home runs.Pitchers are actually challenging him in the postseason, which totally baffles the mind.
Manager of the Year — Andy Brettschneider, Bowser Pontiac
This battle was between Brettschneider and Tom Simcho of Klingensmith Insurance, both of whom deserve the award. Brettschneider’s team, however, outlasted the Pirates for the regular season championship. So he gets the nod. In two years as manager, his winning percentage is better than the two most recent managers to win a championship.
Funniest conversation of the year —
Port Vue Pub manager Mark Suckfiel & Bowser Pontiac catcher Corey Rodgers
With Suckfiel’s team on the verge of pulling off the monumental upset, the manager stepped to the plate in the final inning with a chance to give his team the lead. “You have to be feeling some pressure now,” Rodgers then said. “What are you talking about?" Suckfiel replied, "I led a six-man unit through the streets of Baghdad. That’s pressure. This is baseball.”
Snack of the year — Brooks Marzka’s ice cream sandwich
The Klingensmith Insurance DH was in the hole last week in Clairton when Chuck’s Ice Cream truck drove near the field. Marzka borrowed $2 from Jeff Kuzma and bought what I believe was an ice cream sandwich. He made it back in time to bat, but popped up to second. Maybe a power bar would have been a better choice.
Week of the year award — Terry Thompson, Elizabeth
The much-beleaguered manager of the Elizabeth Athletics failed to qualify for the postseason, but had a week to remember late in the season. On the same week Thompson became a grandfather for the first time, he helped his team to a stunning victory over Bowser and another against The Port Vue Pub when he keyed an 8 run rally by getting hit with a pitch. This Bud’s for you, Terry.
Disturbing fact of the year
Did you know that not one DNL game was played at Helen Ritchie Field this season? What’s up with that? I’ve heard lots of stories regarding why this is the case, none of them particularly flattering toward McKeesport. It’s pretty bad when the DNL plays games in Upper St. Clair but not in McKeesport, particularly when considering that Helen Ritchie is a great venue for a game.
Umpire of the Year — Mike Breaston
This was a tough choice. Breaston is a nice guy, always does a terrific job and... is Steve Breaston’s brother, which, of course, is a good tie-breaker.
Executive of the year — Nick Donato
Nick wins this award for the Web site alone, not to mention his decision to bring the DNL sound-off page out of retirement. When Donato took over as commissioner before the 2005 season, the league was in shambles following the disastrous 2004 season under the previous commissioner's one year term. While the DNL isn’t perfect, it’s starting to thrive. The Commish deserves lots of credit for a job well done.
